Figure 1.--This Japanese school boy appears attentive and serious for what is likely a studio portrait commemorating his entrance into a particular school or grade level. The boy also shows evident pride in wearing his brand new school uniform and cap. Education has always been very important to the Japanese and this boy would have been keenly aware of his family's happiness and approval as they took him to the photographer's studio to have this picture taken.

This Japanede school boy appears attentive and serious for what is likely a studio portrait commemorating his entrance into a particular school or grade level. The boy also shows evident pride in wearing his brand new school uniform and cap. Education has always been very important to the Japanese and this boy would have been keenly aware of his family's happiness and approval as they took him to the photographer's studio to have this picture taken. This original old photograph is in poor condition with creases as well as scratches, stains, fading and discoloration. The photo appears to have been previously mounted in an album as there is some torn paper from the album stuck to the back of the photo. The Japanese 'S. Takahayashi' is hand-written in English script across the front of the photo. The photo dates from the early- to mid-20th century. It is difficult to assess the date of these school uniform portrairs as the uniforms did not change much over a long period. We would guess that it was taken in the 1930s or perhaps early-40s. Perhaps our Japanese readers will be able to provide some clues as to faring. The portrait was acquired in the historic city of Shizuoka, Japan near the foot of Mt. Fuji. Notice how he is wearing his school cap, squarely set on his head and pulled down over his forehead. We suspect that boys who wore it differently may have been repermanded. We wonder if the boys were instructed as to how to wear these caps. Perghaps our Japanese readers will know. A reader writes, "I have a friend who was born in Japan and it used to be believed that a child who smiled too much was not serious as in did not work hard enough at school, work etc. The samurai myth was all about being serious. There is a story about how a samurai did the same thing 10,000 times over 7 years and after that many times he did it perfectly smiled for 7 seconds and went back to work. So the serious look may be the equivalent of our images where parents tell us to smile, their parents told them to be serious."

Created: 10:48 PM 5/19/2008
Last edited: 10:48 PM 5/19/2008